You know, since there's a post bashing him after every lose, no matter how close we were to beating a top team or what not, I think its only fair to make it symmetrical and start a post complimenting Steve after a 10+ pt win, even if it was a little ugly. Steve's really been playing like a franchise player after the all-star break. I use to think that we needed Steve to be the main option offensively to win and that the new scoring point guard style can be just as effective if not more than the traditional point guard as long as we have a point guard that can take charge. But this new Steve showed me just what a Franchise player is. Like it or not, its Steve that's been carrying us in the past few weeks. Sure he still makes mistakes a young point guard makes. he really is stepping up as this teams leader. He's able to balance between his shooting and passing, and is really passing or shooting depending on which ever one helps the Rox win. He's getting to a point where he doesn't back away from taking a shot but isn't always looking to get the shot for himself. He's really really matured this year. Maybe all the negative media has helped him refocus, i don't know but I like the result. P.S. Cato is was the man tonight, if he can continue playing like that, I actually like the Rocket's chances in making and playing in the playoffs.
I was about to post the same thing, Steve has taken control of this team and at the same time been producing the way a Point should. The league know that on any given night, Franchsie can go for 50 points, but he can also go for a 10 10 10 stat line. Not only is he becoming a better player, the team is better with him playing the way he is now. Thanks to Stevie, this team has a chance at the playoffs.
I would never bash Steve. I'll admit he can be a little irresponsible, but it's all part of the learning process. Steve has been playing a lot better since AS break, and while his scoring is down, his turnovers are too and his assists and rebounds are up. So yeah, I'll give Steve all the credit he deserves, because no matter what he's still the one this team lives and dies by.
Sorry to burst your bubble, Stevie Francis DOES NOT have the control of this team - Larry "Clueless" Smith does (unfortunately).
Garnett's a Franchise players, until recently like a years ago, wolves were a .500 team as was happy to be one. The west has gotten very tough and competitve and its hard to be a really good team with out 2 legitamate super stars. Yao might be super star commerically, but in reality he's a very good player with a ton of potential, but not at the par with other all stars yet. And Mobely, read my other post about him being the perfect 6th man.
If Starbury who is the much better than Stevie is not the Suns Franchise player I don't see any reason why Steve should be Rox. Lets leave the "Franchise" vacant for now until we find one. Who knows maybe it could be Dwayne Wade. Lets not forget that Stevie got the tag because his last name rhymed with "Franchise". A mistake I must admit. I don't believe I have ever used Franchise to described Francis ever since he came to Houston until he actually earned it.
You know, I was going to reply to the latest piece of anti-Francis excrement from Fegwu but I've decided to treat it like any other.
And honestly, other than Steve, how much "realized" talent do we have? Yao could be one of the greatest, but he's prone to 4 to 12 nights lately. Hard to do when you're 7'5". Griffin, loads of potential, but if I have to win one game, I'd as soon as trade him for Tyrone HIll or Malik Rose for one game. The Rockets are not a team loaded with talent that has been fulfilled. This team will be good 2-3 years from now when it decides to build around Steve and Yao. The problem right now is our #2 guy isn't as good as anyone else's #2 guy.
I love Steve. But I gotta admit that Steve is a good scorer, but not a good leader, for the time being at least. We just lack a leader in our team to link our players together to play as a team! Yao cannot be such leader either, nor other current Rox players. I don't know who in the NBA can be Rox's leader, but we just lack it.
I really think Steve is getting better at becoming the leader. I feel that having him in the game gives the Rox a stable force to be reckon with and when he's on the floor, the players are more confident.
Why not come up with one reasonable rebuttal rather than taking the infantile route kiddo. No one said Francis is NOT good. Open your eys, mind and head then maybe you will "get it". Simply put, no player on this team right now is worthy of the "Franchise" tag. Weare still trying to find a true leader and an identity.
Our #1 guy isn't as good as everyone else's #1 either. Is Francis as good as Duncan, Shaq, Kidd, Garnett, Nowitzki, Iverson, McGrady, Pierce, Webber, Ray Allen, Jermaine O'Neal, Carter, Payton, Gasol, etc.? The list goes on. In my opinion, Steve is better suited to be a #2.
Francis has been doing excellent. This team will take time to develop. And people must be patient. Yao and Francis are excellent players to build around. Some of you say we don't have a good #2 guy. Some say Francis isn't a good #1 guy. That is why we get Elton Brand. We won't become like the Portland TrailBlazers. The Mavericks have three stars. So do the Kings. Even being like the Blazers is good. Elton Brand and Yao and Francis could all be our #1,2,3 guys. Elton Brand.
Stevie is awesom. His game has really been a level up since the alstar break. He is getting alot of asissts. He has become the team leader, and truly is the franchise player. Stevie! H-town forever!
